The coalition works on several fronts to address human trafficking.
Our strategies include:
Focus on the demand side of the problem by conducting massage parlor and sex buyer (aka "John") sting operations throughout the county.
Coordinate advocates to work with law enforcement during sting operations so when victims are contacted, they are treated with respect and their personal immediate needs are addressed.
Investigate and prosecute traffickers.
CSEC (Commercial Sexually Exploited Children) Court - This collaborative court began as a result of concerns shared by the District Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office that children who were being sexually exploited had specific needs that were not being addressed.This grass roots effort was completely embraced by the Juvenile Court and as a result expanded to include the Probation Department, the UC Davis Children’s Hospital CAARE Center and the non-profit behavioral health treatment center Another Choice Another Chance. The CSEC Court is designed to have a positive impact on personal and public safety, accountability, mental health stability and enrollment in school or gainful employment opportunities for these youth. Every child in the program is provided with trauma based cognitive therapy.Several new programs have emerged as a result of this partnership, including a parent support group, the Adult Deferred Entry of Judgment program, and the Human Trafficking Task Force. Effort is focused on connecting community based organizations with victims and creating trust within our agencies to continue to fight the battle against human trafficking.
REducing Sexually Exploited & Trafficked (RESET) CourtAn adult court diversion program for young adult women arrested for sex work crimes. The goal is to rescue victims from the streets and provide structured rehab that has a focus on what is best for the young adult trapped in a trafficking situation.The FREE program will provide wrap around trauma based services, life skills and peer mentoring that will give women real life skills and options to better their current circumstances.The program replaces a former program that cost women up to $250 and did not address their specific needs. The new program also provides the opportunity to eliminate the criminal record for the offense, which in the past hampered efforts of those trying to escape a trafficking environment.
For immediate help call 911. Computer use can be tracked. Escaping won’t clear browser history.